Issue 1: A primer on how it may affect you

Oct. 2, 2012

ABOUT THIS SERIES

The Enquirer is running a series of “primers” to help voters understand what’s on their fall ballots. Have questions, comments or suggestions? Contact Government/Public Affairs Editor Carl Weiser at cweiser@enquirer.com or on Twitter at @cweiser.

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Issue 1: Constitutional convention

Question: Shall there be a convention to revise, alter or amend the state constitution?

What it’s about: Ohio’s Constitution (article 16, section 3) requires the question to be asked every 20 years.

Who’s behind it: Framers of Ohio’s constitution

What happens if it passes: The next step would be to elect convention delegates sometime in 2013. Any changes recommended by the convention would have to be approved by voters before taking effect.

What happens if it fails: A 32-member commission has already been created to suggest changes to the constitution, and that process would continue. Any changes suggested by the commission would require approval by two-thirds of members and a two-thirds vote by each chamber of the Ohio General Assembly. Then, voters would have to pass it by simple majority.

Arguments for: The Ohio Constitution is the eighth-longest in the United States, having grown from 5,000 words to 55,000 words. Since its adoption in 1802, 165 amendments have been added – 25 since 1991 alone – and it has been 100 years since the last constitutional convention.

Arguments against: The commission is a better vehicle to make changes because legislators can control that process. Any registered voter could be elected as a delegate to a convention, said House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina and co-chairman of the commission.